Apple unveiled its next-generation flagship smartphones, the 'iPhone 18 Pro' and 'iPhone 18 Pro Max,' on the 10th (Korean time). While maintaining a design similar to the previous models, the devices are equipped with the A20 Pro chip manufactured using the industry's latest 2-nanometer (nm) process, boosting sustained performance by up to 40%. For the first time, a variable aperture has been applied to the camera.
The display sizes of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively, matching the previous generation. The Dynamic Island at the top of the screen has been reduced in size and can now display up to three 'Live Activities' simultaneously.
The most significant change is the A20 Pro, which serves as the smartphone's brain. Produced using TSMC's latest 2-nanometer process, the A20 Pro features a 6-core CPU (central processing unit), a 7-core GPU (graphics processing unit), and a 32-core Neural Engine. According to Apple, sustained performance has improved by up to 40% compared to the previous model equipped with the A19 Pro. To manage heat, the vapor chamber cooling system size has been tripled compared to the prior generation.
Battery life has also increased. The iPhone 18 Pro can be used for up to 24 hours on a single charge under typical conditions, matching the level of the previous generation's larger-screen model, the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Apple states that the iPhone 18 Pro Max achieves up to 30 hours, representing the largest battery life improvement between generations in iPhone history. The iPhone 18 Pro can charge its battery to 50% in just 15 minutes.
Hardware changes have been added to the camera system. A variable aperture consisting of six blades has been applied to the 48th-megapixel Fusion main camera. This allows control over depth of field and the amount of light entering by adjusting the aperture according to shooting conditions. These changes aim to improve image quality in low-light photography and group photos.
As befits a Pro model, manual shooting functions have been strengthened. Through the 'Pro Control' feature in the camera app, users can directly adjust the aperture, shutter speed, and white balance, and also check exposure status via a histogram. Time-lapse shooting supports 4K Dolby Vision HDR.
Colors include Black, Silver, Glacier, and Burgundy, with storage options ranging from 256GB to 2TB. The domestic starting price for the iPhone 18 Pro is 1.99 million won, and for the Pro Max, it starts at 2.19 million won. This represents a 200,000-won increase compared to the previous generation's iPhone 17 Pro (1.79 million won) and Pro Max (1.99 million won). The iPhone 18 Pro is priced at 1.99 million won for 256GB, 2.29 million won for 512GB, 2.89 million won for 1TB, and 3.79 million won for 2TB. The Pro Max models are priced at 2.19 million won, 2.49 million won, 3.09 million won, and 3.99 million won, respectively.
In Korea, pre-orders will begin on the 12th at 9 p.m., with official release scheduled for the 18th.
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